With Debate Season Nearing, Odell and Oliverio Expected to Clash

County Executive candidates MaryEllen Odell and Sam Oliverio don’t agree on much, and come the month of October, Putnam County residents will get to see that on display.

With the county executive seat up for grabs, debate season is less than a week away and while there are several candidates running for different seats in Putnam and in New York State that will take part in forums, none are more important, or intriguing than the battle between Odell, the Republican incumbent and Oliverio, the Democratic challenger.

So far, at least three debates (one in Southeast was recently cancelled) expect to be held, including one in Mahopac, and two in Carmel. Others may be in the works, but are currently not confirmed.

In an interview, Oliverio said over the summer he initially wanted himself and Odell to participate in ten debates, but shortly decided to reduce that request to eight debates. Oliverio at first wrote to former Republican Chairman Jim DeBella, but he quickly was referred to Odell’s campaign team, who Oliverio said were wishy-washy with what debates she’d attend.

After that, he then lowered the number down to five debates. That’s the same number of debates held last year in Westchester County, dramatically bigger than Putnam, for the county executive race.

“The more that’s out there for the people to hear, the better off because they will be the final judge,” Oliverio said. “And they need to judge us fairly person-on-person.”

So far, Oliverio said he’s confirmed his attendance at three debates, but is exploring the possibility of at least a few more that includes the west side of the county. Calling himself a “great debater,” Oliverio said candidate forums show the public how well a candidate knows their platform and current county issues.

“We are so different,” he said. “The county executive and I.”

Oliverio, who represent District 2 on the county legislature, said he’s already told Legislature Chairman Carl Albano he may miss part or entire legislative meetings in order to attend as many forums as possible.

Odell, when reached, said she’s received all the forum invitations and would have to survey when county budget meetings are held, noting that’s her first priority. As of Thursday, Odell could not confirm which debates she would attend until after the budget presentation this Wednesday, but didn’t seem to think more than a few debates were necessary.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for constituents to see a candidate debate on their feet and to speak to the issues,” Odell said.

Odell said she doesn’t expect debates this year to be as intense as when she went up against fellow Republican—and now disgraced former state Senator Vinny Leibell in 2010 when the two ran for the office. That year, a total of eight debates were held throughout the primary and general election season.

While there isn’t complete and utter vitriol between Odell and Oliverio considering how quiet the campaigns have been, the two still have had their share of arguments at committee meetings and have no problem criticizing the other often.

Odell, just like Oliverio, acknowledged the two are very different and have very different ideas on how the county should be run.

Odell said, “I’m hopeful that we’ll just stick to the issues and I’m hoping that he won’t send this down his usual path of turning a discussion into an explosive argument because I just won’t do that.”

David Propper